BAM - the Bicycle Assembly & Maintenance Program - was officially launched at the Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) in Toronto last week. This collaborative training program will create trained bicycle mechanics to serve the Canadian cycling industry and cycling enthusiasts.

The BAM project is a co-operative initiative between LEF, the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) and members of the cycling industry, including Norco, Outdoor Gear Canada, Shimano, a number of Toronto retailers and the City of Toronto. BTAC awarded a grant of $9,000 to start the program.

The program involves eight weeks of intensive training in the skills required. The instruction takes place both in a fully-equipped workshop at LEF and on-the-job sessions at particpating retailers' shops. The first class commences February 16th, and the expectation is that between 40 and 50 mechanics will graduate each year. BTAC also hopes to expand the program to other major cities. The first two intakes are completely full.

For more information, contact the Learning Enrichment Foundation at www.lefca.org.